Paperboard box of the suitcase type



1953 s. A. AQUINO ET AL FAPERBOARD BOX OF THE SUITCASE TYPE Filed March 8, 1950 INVENTOR. 36 Sa/va fore A. Aqu/na Char/e: 0 We/s/renbaz/a /U'W Mic/C09 Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES FATNT ()FFICE PAPERBOARD BOX OF THE SUITCASE TYPE Application March 8, 1950, Serial No. 148,384

4 Claims.

This invention relates to paperboard boxes of the suitcase type that are particularly adapted to serve as a container for garments.

An important object of the invention is to provide a flat, one piece box blank that can be shipped and stored in packs which can be conveniently used at retail store wrapping tables, the blank being so formed that a minimum of manipulation is required for assembly of the box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a box that can be quickly and easily formed from a fiat blank and that requires no twine for holding it closed.

A further object is to provide a box that is formed from a one piece blank and that is provided with a convenient handle for carrying.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a lid of the container with a combined handgrip and lock by means of which the lid is held in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment container comprising a box body and a hinged lid that can be formed by folding a one piece blank and that includes only two corner locks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved corner lock for containers of the knock-down type.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a box blank embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the box formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the box taken on the line indicated at 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a fragmentary vertical section on the same line as Fig. 3, showing the lid partially opened; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line indicated at 5--5 in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the blank from which the box is formed has a rectangular back wall panel i to which a top wall section 2 is hingedly connected by means of a fold line 3. A bottom section 4 is hingedly connected to the opposite longitudinal edge of the panel I by means of a fold line 5. End wall sections 6 are hingedly connected to the ends of the panel I by means of fold lines I. The end wall sections '0 have bottom end flaps 8 that are hingedly con nected thereto by means of fold lines 9. The flaps l3 overlap the ends of the bottom section 4 ill 2 and are severed from the bottom section 4 by cuts It.

The top wall section 2 has projecting tongues II at its opposite ends which are hinged thereto by means of fold lines I2 and which are separated by longitudinal cuts I3 from flaps I4 that are hinged to the upper ends of the end walls 6 by fold lines 55. The flaps It overlap the ends oi. the top wall section 2 inwardly of the tongues II and are severed from the top wall section 2 cuts Hi. The flat wall sections 6 have slots l7 parallel to the fold lines l5 and spaced therefrom, the slots ll being of a length to receive the tongues ll.

When the top section 2 and an adjoining end wall section 6 are folded to upright position with respect to the back wall I the flaps it are positioned against the inner face of the top wall section 2 and the outer ends of the tongues I! are inserted from the outside through the slots l1, each of the tongues I! being provided with a double fold line l8 to permit the tongue to be bent for insertion through the slot ll and the free end thereof folded against the inner face of the wall section 6. Each of the tongues II is of a length to extend through the slot I7 and back to the inner face of the top wall and each of the flaps I4 is provided with a slot 19 alongside the fold line i5 and alined with the slot ll, the slot [9 being adapted to receive the free end of the tongue i I when the tongue is inserted through the slot I1 and folded against the inner face of the wall section 6 as shown in Fig. 5.

A handgrip 20 is in the form of a tongue integral with the top wall section 2, the grip 20 being formed by a portion of the top wall section lying between substantially concentric arcuate cuts 2| and 22, the ends of which are disposed substantially at the longitudinal center line of the wall section 2, the central portion of the outer cut 22 which forms the top edge of the handgrip 20 extending substantially to the edge of the blank. The handgrip 26 is hinged to the body of the top wall section 2 by fold lines 23 that are substantially in the longitudinal center line of the top wall section. When the handgrip portion 20 is swung to upright position a pair of slots 24 are provided in the top wall section 2 which diverge from the free edge of the top wall section toward the opposite ends of the hand grip 20. At the edge thereof portions of the blank outwardly of the cut 22 are cut away to provide an opening to the slots 24 and blunt projections 25 at opposite sides of the opening.

A lid panel 26 is connected by a fold line 21 to the longitudinal edge of the bottom section 4 opposite that connected to the panel I and a top flap 2B is hingedly connected to the longitudinal edge of the panel 26 opposite that connected to the panel I. The top flap 28 is hingedly connected to the longitudinal edge of the panel 26 opposite that hinged to the bottom section 4 by a fold line 29. The top flap 28 has a centrally disposed handgrip portion 30 substantially identical in size and shape to the handgrip portion of the top wall section. The vhandgrip is formed of material between concentric arouate cuts 3| and 32 and is hinged to the top flap along longitudinal fold lines 33. Portions of the blank outwardly of the cut 32 are preferably removed to make the handgrip 30 more easily accessible, providing blunt rounded projections similar to the projections 25.

The lid panel 26 has end flaps 36 hinged-thereto by means of fold lines 31. The end flaps 36 are alined with the end Wall sections 6 and are severed from the end flaps 8 of the sections 6 so that they can be folded to upright position with respect to the panel 26. The flaps 36 have rounded ends 38 and 39 that provide end edges that taper outwardly from the fold lines 31.

In forming the box from the blank shown in Fig. 1, the top wall section 2 and side wall sections 6 are first folded to upright position with respect to the back panel I, with the flaps M of the end wall sections engaging the inner face of the top wall 2. The tongues are then inserted through the slots l1 and folded back against the inner face of the wall 6. In folding the free ends :of the tongues against the inner face of the wall 6 'the free end of the tongue rides over the flap 14 and snaps into the slot 1 9, securely locking the tongue against the inner face of the wall 6.

After the walls '2 and '6 are secured in upright position by means of the interlocking connection :above described, the handgrip portion 20 is folded outwardly to a position perpendicular to the wall 2, :and the flaps 8 are folded inwardly to a position substantially at right angles to the wall .6 so that the bottom wall 4 can be folded against these flaps. The end flaps 36 of the lid are then bent to a position at right angles to the body portion .26 of the lid and the lid and bottom are then swung simultaneously, the bottom sections 4 engaging with the flaps 8, after which the lid panel .26 is swung downwardly toward closed position.

The curved bottom edges 38 .of the flaps 3t engage with the flaps 8 and crowd the flaps 8 against the bottom wall 4 while the lid is being :closed. The flaps 36 are substantially the same height as the side walls 6 and engage with the back panel i to space the lid 26 from the back panel. The top flap .28 is bent upwardly to a substantially upright position and the handgrip 30 is bent outwardly so that the top flap 28 .is adapted to enter the box within the top wall 2 and the handgrip 30 is adapted to enter the slots 2'4. The upper curved edges 39 of the end flaps 36 provide tapering-edges that permit the top flap .28 to be swung or depressed inwardly to a position at anacute angle to the panel 26 as shown in Fig. 4, to facilitate entry of the top flap within the wall .2.

The handgrip 3-0 which tapers upwardly can be readily entered from the under side of the wall 2 .into the slots 24 and the tapering outer edge .of the handgrip 31) will be guided by the diverging outer edges of the slots 24 formed by the 'cut .22 into engagement with the handgrip :20 as the lid is closed, so that when the lid is fully closed the handgrips 20 and 30 will be disposed face to face. The inner cuts 2| and 3| of the handle portions 20 and 30 provide finger receiving slots 40 which register when the handgrips are brought together as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The present invention provides a box that is economical to manufacture because of the fact that the blank is substantially rectangular and there is very little waste of material.

The invention also effects a substantial saving of labor in Wrapping of garments in retail stores by reason of the fact that the blanks can be very rapidly folded to form the complete box and by reason of the fact that the box is self locking and requires no twine.

The invention also provides a very convenient handle attachment which makes it convenient for the customer to carry the box, thereby encouragi-ng purchasers to take their purchases with them and effecting a saving in cost of deliveries.

It is to be understood that in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, variations and modifications of the specific devices herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

l. A paperboard box having two walls disposed at right angles, one of said walls having an end fiap that has a fold line hinge connection thereto and that engages with the inner face of the other wall, said flap having a slot extending along the fold line and adjacent thereto and said first mentioned wall having a slot parallel to said fold line and spaced therefrom, the other wall having a projecting tongue extending over the outer face of the first wall and through the slot in said wall and having an end portion against the inner face gf said first wall and engaging in the slot of said 2. A paperboard box blank comprising a back wall panel bounded by wall sections that have :fold line hinge connections thereo, one wall section at a corner of said blank having an end flap that has a fold line hinge connection thereto, said flap overlapping the end of the adjoining wall :section and being severed therefrom, said first alongside the flap hinge line, the said adjoining wall section having an integral tongue of a width to enter said slots, overlapping the end of said flap and severed therefrom.

3, A paperboard box comprising a back wall, top, bottom and end walls, said top wall having a tapering handgrip integrally connected at its ends to the top wall, said handgrip being severed from the portion of the top wall between the integrally connected ends of the handgrip and the free edge of said top wall and bent to upright position to provide a pair of slots in the top wall that diverge inwardly from the free edge of the top wall toward the opposite ends of said handgrip, a lid hinged to said bottom wall and a top flap hinged to the top edge of said lid and being freely depressible inwardly to a position at an acute angle to said lid to facilitate entry of the top fiap beneath and into engagement with the under side of the top wall, said flap having a combined locking tongue and handgrip substantially :the same size .and shape as the top wall handgrip and of .a length at its base corresponding to the distance between the inner ends of said slots, said locking tongue being insertable into said top wall slots from the underside of the top wall and movable to a position alongside the top wall handgrip and into locking engagement with the top wall at the 1111181 ends of said slots.

4. A paperboard box comprising a back wall, top, bottom and end walls, said top wall having a handgrip integrally connected at its ends to the top wall adjacent the longitudinal center line thereof, said handgrip being severed from the portion of the top wall between said center line and the free edge of the top wall by substantially concentric curved cuts and bent to upright position, said concentric curved cuts forming a pair of slots in said top wall that diverge inwardly from the free edge of the top wall toward the opposite ends of said handgrip, a lid hinged to said bottom wall, and a top flap hinged to the top edge of said lid and being freely depressible inwardly to a position at an acute angle to said lid to facilitate entry of the top flap beneath and into engagement with the under side of the top wall, said top flap having a combined looking tongue and handgrip of substantially the same size and shape as the top Wall handgrip, said top flap handgrip being hinged to said top flap and insertable through the top wall slots from the under side of said top wall to a position alongside the top wall handgrip and into locking engagement with said top wall at the inner ends of said slots, said top flap being depressible inwardly to permit opening movement of the lid and withdrawal of said top flap handgrip.

SALVATORE A. AQUINO. CHARLES D. WELSHENBACH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 266,445 Duck Oct. 24, 1882 819,056 Garber May 1, 1906 938,406 Zell Oct. 26, 1909 1,437,151 Riley Nov. 28, 1922 1,530,644 Blandford Mar. 24, 1925 1,745,770 Shapiro Feb. 4, 1930 2,128,509 Swope Aug. 30, 1938 2,365,863 Cantor Dec. 26, 1944 2,459,939 Hill et al. Jan. 25, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 362,591 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1931 

